Coin-agitating method and means for coin-counting and dispensing machines

Abstract

A coin agitating attachment for use on rotary coin transport discs fed by a coin hopper for coin-dispensing and counting machines. The attachment can be made in several configurations of elastomeric materials each characterized by at least a superficial resiliency of limited stiffness such that any point of impact with or by a coin presents a yieldable contact surface which is nevertheless sufficiently rigid to repel and drive the coins while retaining the original shape or configuration.

I claim: 
     
       1. The method of transporting coins for counting and dispensing purposes in which the coins are fed from an inclined hopper against the face of a rotating transport disc in which the coins lodge for transport singly from a level at the bottom of the trough to a counting and dispensing station at a higher level, and the coins in the region of the interface between the disc and infeeding coins are agitated, characterized in that the agitation is effected by an agitating configuration carried by said disc and composed of material such as natural or synthetic rubber, imparting to said configuration a resilience at all points and surfaces exposed to impact by and with coins, and having a degree of stiffness operative to prevent permanent deformation of said configuration from coin impact and effective to repulse coins therefrom in stirring and agitation action. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said material has a durometer factor of between 70 and 80 Shore Type A, said configuration has a thickness at least equal to the thickness of the largest denomination of coin transported, and the configuration is affixed to the interface side of the disc concentrically with its axis of rotation and its dimension of thickness standing in a direction outwardly from the plane of said side. 
     
     
       3. Coin counting and dispensing apparatus of the type wherein coins are fed from the lower end of an inclined hopper against the face of a rotating coin transport disc on which the coins lodge individually for transport seriatim to a counting and dispensing station at a higher level, and the coins in the interface zone between the hopper and disc are agitated by one or more projecting protuberances from the disc, characterized in that the disc carries on its face agitating means including at least one configuration standing outwardly therefrom a distance equivalent to the thickness of at least one coin of the denomination intended to be handled, and formed of elastomeric material such as natural or synthetic rubber and affording an overall resiliency at least superficially present at all points and surfaces of the configuration exposed to impact with or by coins present at said interface resulting from rotation of the disc, said material further having a degree of stiffness operative to retain its form against permanent deformation by coin impact as aforesaid, and sufficient to repel and impel coins in stirring and agitating action in said interface zone. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 3 further characterized in that said material has a durometer factor ranging between 70 and 80 Shore Type A. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 3 further characterized in that said configuration comprises a single monolithic member having a plurality of fingers extending in a radial sense relative to the axis of rotation of the disc. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said configuration has the form of a star with a plurality of points spaced apart angularly about its center a distance to admit between adjoining points a coin of the diameter intended to be handled. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 6 further characterized in that said points are unattached to the disc in a region adjoining the free ends thereof such that said points in said region have freedom for movement to flex laterally. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said points have blunted ends such that the taper thereof does not terminate in a thin-webbed point likely to rupture due to repeated flexure from coin impact. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said configuration comprises an array of a plurality of radially-extensive bars of said material attached to the interface side of the disc in predetermined uniform spaced relation angularly about the rotative axis thereof and extending in a radial sense therefrom so as to provide a coin receiving space between adjoining bars. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus according to claim 3 further characterized in that said configuration comprises a single member having a plurality of fingers extending in a radial sense relative to the axis of rotation of the disc. 
     
     
       11. In a coin-counting and dispensing machine of the hopper-fed type wherein an inclined coin transport disc rotates through a mass of coins fed against the lower face thereof to pick up and transport coins for counting and discharge at a higher level, coin-agitating means carried concentrically on the face of the disc and characterized in that such means comprises a multi-armed member having all surfaces thereof which are exposed to engagement with or by coins at least superficially resilient at all points of possible coin contact, the said member being formed of non-metallic material having a sufficient rigidity throughout resistive of permanent deformation from coin impact. 
     
     
       12. In coin-handling apparatus of the class described wherein a motor-driven coin transport disc rotates through a mass of infeeding coins gravitating against the face thereof to pick up the coins and carry them seriatim to a discharge station, coin-agitating means operative to stir and deflect the infeeding coins pressing against the face of the disc and comprising a body affixed concentrically with the disc to rotate therewith and stand outwardly from the plane of the face thereof and having radially-extensive finger portions terminating short of the periphery thereof, said body being formed of an abrasive-resistant material affording sufficient rigidity to maintain its configuration against permanent deformation or deflection by coin impact and sufficient stiffness to impel coins engaged thereby in rotation of the disc, as aforesaid, and further having all surfaces thereof which can be engaged with or by coins in such rotation of an elastomeric yieldability to afford limited resilience to such coin impact.